1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to door locking devices and more particularly pertains to a new door locking device for retrofitting to existing tank type doorframes for selectively locking a door mounted on the doorframe.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of door locking devices is known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,447,046 describes a bar used for positioning across a door for locking the door. Another type of door locking device is U.S. Pat. No. 3,665,736 that includes a specific design for locking vending machines. Yet another type of door locking device is U.S. Pat. No. 3,806,179 which includes a bar mounted on a conventional doorframe for securing a door.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a locking assembly that is suitable for a tanker or reservoir type doorframe. Such a locking assembly should also be readily retrofittable to existing doorframes as an anti-terrorism device to prevent unlawful entry into fuel tankers and the like.
The present invention meets the needs presented above by comprising a locking arm mount that is fixedly attached to a first side of a doorframe. An arm has a first end and a second end. The first end is pivotally coupled to the locking arm mount such that the arm is selectively positionable between a first position extending away from the frame and a second position extending across the door. A loop is attached to the arm and is positioned generally adjacent to the second end of the arm. A lock mount is fixedly attached to a second side of the doorframe. The lock mount is positioned such that the second end of the arm may abut the lock mount when the arm is in the second position. The lock mount includes a rod that is attached to the second side. A cylinder has a perimeter wall attached to an end of the rod and is positioned adjacent to the door such that a plane of the door extends through the cylinder. The perimeter wall has a slot extending therethrough that is positioned for receiving the loop. A lock may be positioned in the cylinder and positioned on the loop for selectively locking the arm in the second position.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
The objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.
The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to
As best illustrated in
The locking assembly 10 includes a locking arm mount 12 that is fixedly attached to the first side 7 of the doorframe 5. The locking arm mount 12 includes a pair of plates 14 that are spaced from each other. Each of the plates 14 lies within a plane orientated substantially parallel to each other. The plates 14 are preferably attached to the doorframe 5 by welding, through other mechanical means such as brackets may also be used.
An arm 16 has a first end 18 and a second end 20. The first end 18 is pivotally coupled to the locking arm mount 12 such that the arm 16 is selectively positionable between a first position extending away from the frame and a second position extending across the door 6. The first end 18 is positioned between and pivotally coupled to the plates 14. The arm 16 is preferably telescoping and includes a first portion 22 is slidably positioned in a second portion 24. The telescoping nature of the arm 16 allows the assembly 10 to be easily retrofitted to existing doorframes. A loop 26 is attached to the arm 16. The loop 26 is positioned generally adjacent to the second end 20 of the arm 16.
A lock mount 28 is fixedly attached to the second side 8 of the doorframe 5. Again, welding is the preferred method of attaching the lock mount 28 to the doorframe 5 though other conventional attachment means may be utilized. The lock mount 28 is positioned such that the second end 20 of the arm 16 may abut the lock mount 28 when the arm 16 is in the second position. The lock mount 28 includes a rod 30 that is attached to the second side 8. A cylinder 32 has a perimeter wall 34 attached to an end of the rod 30 and is positioned adjacent to the door 6 such that a plane of the door 6, when the door 6 is in a closed position, extends through the cylinder 32. The cylinder 32 preferably has a diameter generally between 3 inches and 5 inches. It is preferred that less than half of the cylinder 32 extends above the plane of the door 6. The perimeter wall 34 has a slot 36 extending therethrough. The slot 36 is positioned for receiving the loop 26. The cylinder 32 has an inner edge 38 and an outer edge 40. The inner edge 38 is positioned adjacent to the frame 5. A bar 42 is mounted in the cylinder 32 and is positioned adjacent to the outer edge 40. The bar 42 is preferably positioned in a plane orientated parallel to a plane of the door 6 and is positioned nearer an upper edge of the cylinder 32, as defined by the position of the slot 36, as opposed to a lower edge of the cylinder 32.
In use, the assembly is attached to the doorframe 5 as indicated above. The arm 16 is extended over the door 6 so that the loop 26 is positioned in the slot 36. A conventional lock 44, such as a padlock, may be positioned in the cylinder 32 and positioned on the loop 26 for selectively locking the arm 16 in the second position. The bar 42 helps to prevent tampering with lock 44.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
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